IN BRIEF (Page 13)

Protest on EU investigation

Chinese steel makers expressed their "strong dissatisfaction" over the European Union's anti-subsidy investigation against Chinese organic coated steel and the government is "highly concerned" about the probe, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the EU opened an inquiry into whether Chinese manufacturers of organic coated steel, used in domestic appliances, construction, heating and furniture, received trade-distorting government aid. The probe stemmed from a complaint by the European Steel Industry Association, which represents companies accounting for more than 70 percent of the bloc's output of the product.

Baidu to set up research center

Baidu Inc, the operator of China's biggest Internet search-engine, plans to set up a research center in Singapore to accelerate development of Web services in Southeast Asia. The facility, a venture between Baidu and Singapore's Agency for Science and Technology Research, is an "important step in Baidu's commitment to enhance its products in Southeast Asia," the company said in a statement on Wednesday. Baidu started services in Arabic and Thai last year as the Beijing-based company stepped up efforts to expand overseas.

Flight-testing program begins

China's aviation regulator has started its final flight-test certification program for the nation's first homegrown passenger jet, delivery of which has been delayed for at least four years. This month, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd's 90-seat ARJ21 received Type Inspection Authorization from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, paving the way for the final-flight test process, the regulator said in a statement on its website on Thursday.

CHIC to build alumina refinery

China Henan International Cooperation Group Co Ltd will spend $3 billion to build an alumina refinery in Sangaredi, Guinea, within four years, said Ousmane Kaba, an adviser to the African nation, on Tuesday. Annual production capacity at the site, 350 kilometers northwest of the Guinean capital, Conakry, will be 3 million metric tons, said Kaba. The plant will process 10 million tons of bauxite, the ore that is refined into alumina, which in turn is made into aluminum.

Fire services JV launched

Tyco Fire & Security, a unit of Tyco International Ltd, and the largest provider of fire and security products and services by sales revenue globally, on Thursday announced it has established a joint venture with the Chinese fire engineering and contracting provider Reliance Corp to tap the country's surveillance and fire protection market.

Although Tyco refused to disclose the investment amount, its President George Oliver said the Swiss-registered company will place greater emphasis on the research and development sector in China.

China Daily - Agencies

(China Daily 02/24/2012 page13)